The Representative Disqualification,
Suspension, and Non-Recognition Information File is a system of records that covers
disqualified and suspended representatives who have represented claimants and
beneficiaries before us and persons who want to serve as representatives but
fail to meet the qualifications for recognition by us to do so. For example, covered persons include representatives
alleged to have violated the provisions of the Social Security Act or
regulations relating to representation of claimants and beneficiaries,
representatives whom we have found to have committed such violations and are disqualified
or suspended, and representatives we have investigated but are not disqualified
or suspended because we resolved the matter without an action to disqualify or
suspend the representative or because we found that the violation did not
occur.

·Describe the information we plan to collect, why we
will collect the information, how we intend to use of the information, and with
whom we will share the information.

The information we
collect is specific to persons seeking to represent our claimants and disqualified
and suspended representatives who have represented claimants and beneficiaries
before us. For example, we collect name,
date of birth, Social Security number, representative identification number,
home or business address(es), telephone and facsimile (fax) numbers, email
address, and type of representative (e.g., attorney, non-attorney, eligible
direct pay non-attorney). We also
collect and maintain information about the representative’s legal standing and
business affiliation. For example, we
collect status of the representative (e.g., suspended, disqualified); bar,
court, and Federal program or agency admission information (e.g., year
admitted, license number, present standing, and disciplinary history); copies
of all documentation resulting from our investigation and administrative
prosecution of alleged violations of the Social Security Act and regulations
relating to the representative; and employer identification number.

The information we
collect is maintained in the Appointed Representative Database, a single
repository for all representational type information. We will use the information in the database to
identify persons and representatives covered by the system of records and
respond to representational activities. For example, we will use the information to investigate alleged
administrative or criminal violations, administratively prosecute actions
against representatives, respond to the Appeals Council when a representative
has requested reinstatement, provide detailed notice of, and information on,
cases in which we have disqualified or suspended a representative, and assist
the Department of Justice in Federal court litigation, including that which
relates to our decision to disqualify or suspend a representative or not
recognize a person as a claimants’ representative.

We will disclose information in the database
only to the subject of the record, under a routine use, or as otherwise
required by Federal law. For example, under
a routine use, we will disclose to the public via our internet website that we
have disqualified or suspended a representative from representation before us,
or not recognized a person as a claimants’ representative. A full list of routine uses applicable to
this information collection may be found in the Representative
Disqualification, Suspension, and Non-Recognition Information File system of
records notice, 60-0219.

·Describe the administrative and
technological controls we have in place or that we plan to secure the
information we will collect.

We maintain all representational type information in paper and
electronic form. We keep paper records
in locked cabinets or in other secure areas. Information in electronic form is maintained in the Appointed
Representative database. We safeguard
the security of the electronic information by requiring the use of access codes
to enter the computer system that houses the data.

We annually provide appropriate security awareness and training to all
of our employees and contractors that includes reminders about the need to
protect personally identifiable information and the criminal penalties that
apply to unauthorized access to, or disclosure of, personally identifiable
information. See 5 U.S.C. §
552a(i)(1). Furthermore, employees and
contractors with access to databases maintaining personally identifiable
information must annually sign a sanction document, acknowledging their
accountability for inappropriately accessing or disclosing such information.

·Describe the impact on people’s privacy
rights. Do we afford people an opportunity
to decline to provide information?

Yes. We collect, maintain, and
use information only where we have specific legal authority to do so in order to
administer our responsibilities under the Social Security Act. When we
collect a person’s or representative’s information, we advise the person or
representative of our legal authority for requesting the information, the
purpose for which we will use and disclose the information, and explain the consequences
should the person or representative choose not to provide the
information. The person or representative can then make an informed
decision as to whether or not to provide the information.

Do we afford people an opportunity to consent to only particular uses of
the information?

No. When we collect a person’s or
representative’s information, we advise that person or representative of the
purposes for which we will use the information. We further advise the
person or representative that we will disclose the information without prior
written consent only when we have specific legal authority to do so (e.g., the
Privacy Act). We do not otherwise offer
persons and representatives an opportunity to determine how and with whom their
information will be shared.

·Does the collection of this information
require a new system of records under the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a) or an
alteration to an existing system of records?

Yes. This collection of
information required us to alter an existing system of records, the Representative Disqualification/Suspension
Information System (60-0219). The system of records was renamed the Representative Disqualification, Suspension,
and Non-Recognition Information File. The alteration appropriately reflects the persons and representatives covered
by the system as well as the purpose for which we collect, maintain, and use the
information maintained in the database.